What Really Matters

Someone once told me there are two eternal things – God and people. Everything else will pass away. As I reflect upon 2012 and look forward to 2013 it is good for me to think about the people in my life. Here are a few things I sift through:

– Have you been faithful to give the gift of spoken appreciation to the key people in your life? On occasion you experience deep feelings of appreciation for others. Like me, you have to be careful to capture the moment and act – or such feelings and thoughts are prone to evaporate into your busy, preoccupied existence! Good Words warm the heart and build up the soul.

– Whom has God used to shape you over this past year? In kind ways? In not so kind ways? Can you see God’s hand in even the challenging or unkind unfolding of circumstances? One Kingdom truth is that God even brings suffering into our lives in order to produce good things. Even our enemies are within His reach. Really.

– Is your heart soft toward God and others in your life, or have you built a shell around yourself? It is a gift to enjoy peace and joy.

All of life seems to be designed to break us down – but not so with God! He always wants what is best for us. He is Good – all of the time. Even when He orchestrates things we would never choose.